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- Tasks: Lead a team to create delicious meals and ensure a fantastic dining experience.
- Company: Join a passionate school catering company dedicated to high-quality food and community spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy Monday to Friday hours, no late nights, and opportunities for skill development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in school kitchens while working in a supportive and creative environment.
- Qualifications: Previous team management experience and a passion for fresh ingredients are essential.
- Other info: This role may close early due to high application volume; apply soon!
As Chef Manager, you will be the point of leadership for your site. This pivotal role demands culinary mastery combined with sharp business acumen. You will place emphasis on delivering the highest quality food and service, leveraging your creative flair, originality, and leadership to make a significant stir in the school catering industry.
Role Responsibility
The Chef Manager drives performance across all facets of the catering unit:
Financial Command (P&L): Assume full control of the catering operation, including managing and improving all controllable costs (stock, food, and labour) to ensure maximum profitability.
Culinary & Menu Excellence: Lead the preparation of delicious, nutritious, high-quality meals utilising our fresh and sustainable ingredients. Oversee and guide continuous menu development.
Team Leadership & Development: Lead, coach, and motivate all staff, setting a positive tone and guaranteeing a consistently fantastic dining experience for students and staff in line with company standards. Provide outstanding support and guidance to ensure team success.
Commercial Growth: Actively drive sales and revenue growth through the implementation of effective monthly promotions and added-value events.
Compliance & Audit: Ensure full compliance with all company systems, procedures, and relevant legislation. Conduct regular operational audits to verify standards are consistently met.
- Client Relations: Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with both clients and customers, acting as the primary representative for Stir on site.
The Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a proactive leader who balances culinary passion with demonstrated business capability:
Strong working financial understanding of gross profit management and a track record of achieving demanding sales targets.
A natural, positive leader with proven experience in managing a team and fostering exceptional teamwork.
Extensive craft-based experience using fresh ingredients.
Strong knowledge of all current Health and Safety practices within a professional kitchen environment.
Possession of an OND or HND Qualification is preferred, but not essential.
Package Description
At Stir, we give our teams the time, freedom, and tools they need to feel pride in their work every single day! You\’ll also benefit from a true commitment to work-life balance:
Monday to Friday working only—say goodbye to all weekend shifts!
30 hours working with no late nights.
39 working weeks per year, structured around the term‑time calendar (maximising time with family and friends!).
Join a fast-growing, ambitious company dedicated to supporting your long-term career development.
Access to our dedicated Learning & Development team for apprenticeships and advanced training courses available to all staff.
Crucial Note: We expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. This role requires a mandatory enhanced DBS disclosure. Due to high demand for this key position, the role may be filled before the official closing date.
About the Company
We’re a specialised school catering company with a deep passion for high-quality food, dedicated to fostering a community spirit and driving a mission to instil pride back into school kitchens across the UK.
Our success is powered by an exceptional and highly valued team. We boast a diverse range of experts, skills, and abilities, all united by our common goal of creating a significant impact and stirring innovation within education catering.
We are committed to maintaining uncompromisingly high standards—both in the culinary excellence of the food we serve and in the professional management and safety of our kitchen environments. This commitment is supported by our dedicated team and reinforced through regular support and targeted training, ensuring our on‑site teams possess the precise skills needed to deliver the performance we expect.
We actively seek individuals with creative initiative and growth ambition. We offer exciting opportunities designed to attract strategic thinkers and bold movers ready to advance their careers with us. If this vision resonates with you, we encourage you to connect with our team.
- Location London Conley, St Albans , United Kingdom
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Chef Manager employer: Stirfood
Contact Detail:
Stirfood Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed a team in the past, particularly in a kitchen environment. Highlight your ability to motivate and develop staff, as this is crucial for the Chef Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with current trends in school catering and nutrition. Being able to discuss innovative menu ideas or sustainable practices will demonstrate your passion for the role and align with our commitment to high-quality food and service.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your financial management experience. Understanding gross profit management and how to drive sales through promotions is key for this position, so be ready to share any relevant experiences or strategies you've implemented in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Build rapport with your interviewers by expressing your enthusiasm for working in a school environment. Share your thoughts on the importance of creating a positive dining experience for students and how you can contribute to fostering a community spirit within the school.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in managing teams and working with fresh ingredients. Emphasise any previous roles where you demonstrated leadership and creativity in a kitchen environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and service. Mention specific examples of how you've improved dining experiences or managed costs effectively in past roles. Show that you understand the company's mission and values.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have an OND or HND qualification, make it prominent in your application. Also, include any certifications related to Health and Safety practices, as this is crucial for the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Provide examples of how you've led and developed a team in your previous positions. Discuss your approach to coaching and motivating staff, as well as any successful initiatives you've implemented to enhance team performance.
How to prepare for a job interview at Stirfood
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past, focusing on your leadership style and how you foster teamwork.
✨Highlight Your Culinary Creativity
This role requires a flair for creating delicious and nutritious meals. Be ready to discuss your experience with menu development and how you incorporate fresh, sustainable ingredients into your cooking. Consider sharing a unique dish you've created.
✨Understand Financial Management
Since you'll be responsible for financial aspects like stock and labour costs, brush up on your knowledge of gross profit management. Be prepared to discuss how you've previously managed budgets or driven sales through promotions.
✨Emphasise Compliance and Safety Knowledge
Health and safety are crucial in a kitchen environment. Make sure you can talk about your understanding of relevant legislation and how you've implemented safety practices in your previous roles. Mention any audits you've conducted to ensure compliance.
